Posts Tagged ‘Micah Silver’
The March Transformation of What Happens When
For the next eight months Knstrct will be reporting on a new experimental restaurant in New York City called What Happens When, as we previously did last month about the design (February’s images here). What Happens When opened in Soho this past February, each month, the design, menu, and music will all drastically change. The restaurant has a team of four dynamic collaborators behind it. Critically acclaimed chef, John Fraser is heading up the pre-fixed, $58.00, three course menu, which will be changing every month. Emilie Baltz is the mastermind behind the brand and identity. The talented composer, Joshua Benyard is leading the live music and entertainment for the space. Last but never the least, Elle Kunnos de Voss of the Metrics, the interior design concepter behind the concept.
Knstrct caught up with Elle Kunnos de Voss who gave us a little more insight on this experimental restaurant. Elle explained that the entire design for the first month accumulated to an whopping $5,000, a number so low, nearly unheard of in the NYC restaurant design industry, and each monthly change will cost no more that $1,000. This is a grand representation of the idea that a great designer can produce brilliant work despite, shall we say, a capital deficiency, by using some smarts and creativity.
Kunnos De Voss went on to explain that she created a grid on the ceiling with black hooks and attached 15 foot electrical cords to each light fixture. This strategy is meant to allow the light fixtures to move each month with a new table layout. last month all of the light fixtures were originally conceptualized and hand made by the designer herself, but this month Elle explains that “the over table pendants are made from a sheet of stationary held together with a single staple. The stationary, screen printed bird motif on vintage typing paper, is designed by Adrienne Wong. The counter area light fixtures are made with live moss and small bulbs.”
Kunnos De Voss describes the new design as a “play with scale. With over-sized pine needles that create a movement across the ceiling. Stretching to the floor in some areas the pine needles act as room dividers. Throughout the space little moments unveil the fantastical forest theme such as two moss-laden swings with miniature landscapes of plants and birds, bird houses nestled in the pine needles and various animal tracks on the floor, walls and selected tables.”
While sitting down with Elle it was clear to see that she has a great gift for creating on the fly, for each design transformation is done over night! Refreshingly enough, she seemed to be delighted by this project and the challenges that it requires.
(Photographs Provided By Felix de Voss + Emilie Baltz)
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HITS NEW YORK CITY
We have been skimping on food all day in effort to shove down our three course dinner tonight at What Happens When, NYC’s new concept restaurant. Let me ask, What Happens When you build a restaurant in one of the most food driven cities in the world, and every 30 days you change the design, menu, and entertainment? Then, in 9 months you tear it to shreds! Rip it down! restaurant no more! Finished! Done! What Happens When is one big experiment, a blip in time, that some may experience, and some might not. Knstrct will be getting the full dining experience tonight and we will be sure to let you know how it goes…
What Happens When has a dynamic team of support. Critically acclaimed chef, John Fraser is heading up the pre-fixed, $58.00, three course menu, which will be changing every month. Emilie Baltz is the mastermind behind the brand and identity. The talented composer, Micah Silver is leading the live music and entertainment for the space. Last but never the least, Elle Kunnos de Voss of the Metrics, the interior design concepter behind the concept explains the design better than anyone:
“The overall concept for the space is a ‘work in progress’ transparency into the design process as the architectural drawings are mapped out onto the dining room surfaces in 1:1, with each Movement change red lined to manifest the process and record the transformations. For each new 30 day Movement theme we will design; a new lighting scheme and fixtures, unique spatial elements to create variations of visual compositions like perspective, scale and form and a new color scheme. To keep the space flexible for the changing light and spatial installations we have designed a grid of hooks for the ceiling. The spatial concept for the First Movement is a monochromatic landscape of deconstructed volumes and fixtures, using a paired down aesthetic. White lines define volumes within the space, describing archetypal house and ladder shapes in a distorted perspective. The deconstructed chandeliers take their cue from a classic chandelier with cut cardboard prisms and large globe light bulbs.”
A promising concept this restaurant has going for itself is that it is less about the owners, and more about the users, you! The team behind What Happens When wants you to get involved by A.) Submit a design concept for a chance to see it built for a month. B.) Go enjoy the restaurant, take part in the momentary blip, then go back the next month for an entirely different experience. C.) Support the experiment and donate on Kickstarter.com
(Photographs provided by Felix De Voss)
